Here's chapter five like I promised. Hope you like it!
I also hope you already know I don't own Harry Potter, but I'm reminding you anyways :)
Chapter 5
After the first two classes of the day, Hermione walked to the Great Hall with Harry, feeling more excited with every step she took.
"So Pansy really stood up for me?" she asked for the umpteenth time today.
"Yes," Harry rolled his eyes, "though she'll have to rethink it since you can definitely hold your ground."
"The gesture counts" the young woman said. "And what about you and Ron? He won't be happy to be left alone."
"I'm not leaving him alone, I'm simply spending time with you. If he wasn't such a prat, he would've come to apologize" Harry explained.
"Thanks, I just don't want to cause a rift between you."
"He'll come around" the black-haired boy reassured her and put his arm around her shoulders. Hermione had to remind herself he was a man not a boy as she felt him squeeze her lightly to give support. As they turned into the corridor that led to the Great Hall, Hermione heard a voice to their left.
"Hey, Mia, wait up!"
"Draco" Hermione smiled, looking at him, jogging towards them.
"Hey" he said and stopped in front of them. Hermione noticed Harry's arm was still around her shoulders, and freed herself gently, hugging Draco. He hugged her back then let her go, looking at Harry expressionlessly.
"Harry."
"Draco."
"Do I have a reason to be jealous?"
"I beg your pardon?" Harry said incredulously.
"Hermione usually runs to me after Weasley acts like an idiot" the blonde said coolly.
"Well, this time I didn't stay with him" Harry said.
"I just wanted to say that if she ever came back from you crying again, you'll have me to deal with" Draco said, his silver eyes glowing dangerously.
"Crying?" the other boy gaped.
"Way to ruin the mood, boys" Hermione rolled her eyes and threw an arm around each one's shoulders. "Now that you've settled your dispute concerning my well-being, let's go eat, shall we?"
They looked at her and smiled, shaking hands with each other. The three of them then proceeded down the corridor and walked into the Great Hall. People stared, but Hermione was used to that, so she just turned to Draco.
"May I offer you a seat beside me?"
"Do I have a choice?" he raised an eyebrow.
"No, that letter isn't going to write itself!"
"Okay, okay" he said, and she dragged them over to the Gryffindor table. She sat between them and took out a piece of parchment, ink, and a quill from her bag while the boys started piling their plates with food.
"Hello, guys" Ginny said, flopping down opposite the three of them. Her clothes were dirty and her hair was sticking out at the sides. Hermione looked at her questioningly.
"Sprout and her Venomous Tentacula" Ginny said through gritted teeth. The brunette nodded sympathetically and turned to Draco. He swallowed his foood and said "Let's get this over with. They'll get worried."
For the next half an hour the four of them ate, Hermione and Draco deciding on what to write to Andy and Cissy, and Harry and Ginny talking about school and smiling at each other. When they were ready with the letter, Hermione decided to read it through to see whether they had missed something, while Draco helped himself to some more treacle tart, much to Harry's delight. Hermione shook her head at their argument about different desserts and began to read Draco's handwriting.
Dear Mother and Aunt,
We are good. Being back here feels great. Classes have started and it's good to have a routine. Strangely enough, no one seems to hate me - though Mia says they shouldn't, I thought they would. If you're wondering why I'm writing this, I just wanted to annoy Mother with my handwriting. Mia's here too though, and she says hi. We're having lunch now – I had Transfiguration and Charms this morning and she had DADA and Transfiguration. We have a new DADA Professor – Hestia Jones. Hermione says she's good, I'll find out tomorrow. But she's teaching us dueling techniques. She chose Hermione for a demonstration but Mia lost. Used a Furnunculus on Weasley because he pissed her off earlier. Can't wait to tell Pansy about it – she'll have a fit. By the way, Hermione's getting on with my friends really well, and I can't say Potter isn't funny. Little Miss Weasley is a firework, too. Only problem is Ronald – I don't think we'll get on very well if he keeps making Hermione sad. Ugh she's hugging me – can't write. Hope you're good, don't worry about us.
By the way, McGonagall mentioned something about Slughorn's apprentice who would take over his position when they're ready. Do you know who it is? Any ideas who's good at Potions and is looking for a job? Write soon.
Love,
Draco and Hermione
Smiling at the antics in his letter, she rolled it up and tugged on Draco's sleeve.
"Come on, we can send it now. Where is Perseus?"
"Up in the Owlery probably" Draco stood up. "Got to go. See you around, Potter, Weasley."
"There's too much Weasleys, Malfoy" Ginny grumbled.
"Fine. Ginevra."
The redhead glared at him, but he grabbed Hermione's hand and ran away quickly, dragging her along.
"Ouch, stop" Hermione giggled. "Prat."
"Ah, how it hurts" Draco put a hand over his heart.
"I'm sure it does" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's go, I don't want to be late."
"What do you have that's so important?" the blonde raised an eyebrow, looking extremely like his mother.
"Charms. You?"
"Potions."
"Slughorn likes you. You'll walk me to class."
"Excuse me? As if Flitwick doesn't like you."
"So I should be late for class?"
"Ugh, fine, I'll walk you to the classroom" Draco murmured.
"Yes, you will" Hermione smiled brightly and his face lit up slightly. "And you have to ask Slughorn about his apprentice."
"What?"
"He likes you – he'll tell you."
"Sure, especially if I'm late."
"Oh don't be dramatic" Hermione said, opening the door to the Owlery. Draco shook his head then called out "Perseus!"
A loud hoot answered him, and a second later his large screech owl landed on his outstretched forearm.
"We've got a letter for you, Perseus" Draco said, stroking his black feathers while Hermione tied the scroll of parchment to his leg. "Bring it to my Aunt's. But don't hurry, it's not urgent."
The owl looked at Draco and blinked once then spread its wings and took off through one of the windowless holes in the wall. Draco turned to Hermione.
"There. Done. Let's go now."
She nodded but before they had even moved the door opened. Pansy walked in hurriedly then stopped when she saw the two of them.
"Hey" she said.
"Hi, Pansy" Hermione smiled, feeling happier all of a sudden.
"What's up, Pans?" Draco asked. "Ready for double Potions?"
"Not particularly. They told me I'd find Hermione here."
"Oh, looking for little old Mia?" Draco grinned. "Perfect. I'll leave you two then, you can walk her to class."
"What-come back-" Hermione began but the boy interrupted her.
"Ah ah, I should be on time to ask Slughorn about his apprentice. I'll tell him you had to send a letter, Pans" he winked at the other Slytherin and left in a hurry. Hermione groaned.
"Boys" Pansy said. "You should know how they are since you've been hanging out with Potter and Weasley for seven years. You get used to it but I prefer girls anyway."
"Oh I – what? You prefer girls?" Hermione was shocked. She hadn't thought about different orientations in the Magical world. Her shock seemed to have shown on her face because Pansy recoiled.
"It doesn't matter. Slipped out – I-I'll go now."
"No, wait!" Hermione said, realizing how her reaction had sounded to Pansy. "I just haven't thought about these – orientations in the Magical world."
"Oh" Pansy turned to face her, a small smile on her lips. "Well, it's like in the Muggle world, I guess."
"Well, gay people aren't very well received there if that's what you mean."
"What? No!" Pansy looked as shocked as Hermione a few minutes ago while she held the door open for her. "I meant the same types of orientations. Do Muggles really cast gay people out?"
"No – some to a point, I guess. Some are more open-minded. How is it here in the Magical world?" Hermione asked.
"Well, it's normal. Some people don't like it but mostly gay people are accepted." Pansy looked hesitant before continuing. "Most pureblood families don't like that though. You know, for the marriage and heir part."
"Hmm" Hermione was deep in thought. A few minutes passed in silence before she realized what Pansy was saying. She gasped. "Your parents! That's why you looked sad this morning. They're pestering you to marry a pureblood and have his child."
Pansy stared at her.
"Uh, yes. How did you figure this all out?"
"It's logical."
"Well, I wish I had your kind of logic then. I'll need it for Potions now." Pansy smiled. "Thanks for being so understanding. Let me walk you to class now, the bell's going to ring-"
She was interrupted by the bell.
"-any second now. Let's hurry."
"Wait" Hermione caught her hand to stop her, and hugged her. "I want you to know you can always share with me. Your secrets are safe with me."
"...Thanks" Pansy said awkwardly, pulling away. "But we need to hurry."
"Oh – you don't need to-"
"Come on, Granger, Miss Perfect shouldn't be late" Pansy cut her off and started running.
"I'm not Miss Perfect!" Hermione snapped and chased after the Slytherin.
When they stopped in front of the Charms classroom, Hermione heard Professor Flitwick's squeaky voice from inside.
"Thanks" she said, hurrying to go in. She almost missed Pansy's next words.
"No problem. Thank you for understanding me."
When she turned around, Pansy was already walking away. Hermione opened the door and walked in, realizing that she wasn't that desperate to get to class anymore.
"Ah, Miss Granger." Professor Flitwick's voice brought her out of her reverie. "Thank you for joining us."
"I'm sorry, Professor, I had to send a letter."
"Don't worry. Just don't let it become a habit. You can take your seat" the tiny wizard squeaked. Hermione smiled at him and walked to the back where Harry had saved her a seat.
"More and more Slytherin traits in you" he whispered and smiled at her.
"Watch out, you were laughing with Draco at lunch" she whispered back as Flitwick continued to speak about Weather charms.
When she finally dropped her bag onto her bed in the evening, Hermione sat down and closed her eyes, relaxing after Flitwick's two-feet essay on ways to make rain slow down. She decided to go to bed early, and got changed, lying down, closing her eyes. She couldn't fall asleep easily though because her mind was full of thoughts about her conversation with Pansy today. Hermione was still bewildered at the way Pansy had shared something so personal with her. She was just about to go to sleep when the door opened and someone walked in.
"Hermione?" came Pansy's voice from her right.
"Yes?" Hermione said, quickly sitting up in bed. "Something wrong?"
"No – I'm sorry, were you – you were asleep, weren't you?" Pansy babbled.
"No, no, I wasn't, don't worry. What's up?"
"Well, I just saw you come up here, and remembered. I never did ask you how you were after your fight with Weasley in the morning."
"Oh, I'm fine. I got him so good in Defense Against the Dark Arts" Hermione smirked.
"Yeah, Draco told me. But are you okay?" Pansy asked, concern lacing her voice.
"Yes, don't worry. And I never said thank you."
"About what?"
"Defending me" Hermione said simply. "Harry told me."
"Oh. Well..." Pansy looked uncertain. "Potter, giving me away" she grinned suddenly. "I'll go tell him that's not nice. Um... goodnight."
And the raven-haired girl left in a hurry. Hermione lay back down and thought. She could swear she had seen a red tinge on Pansy's cheeks when she thanked her. The brunette's last thought before she fell asleep was how often she seemed to think about Pansy after knowing her for only two days.